Happy Dental Hygienists Week!

/

We love our dental hygienists, Jamie and Stefanie! They do an amazing job taking care of all of our patients. This week we are celebrating them for keeping our mouths happy and healthy!

Make sure to schedule your next dental appointment and come visit us soon. It is recommended to see your dentist and dental hygienist every 6 months for a professional dental cleaning. We can provide tips on how to improve your oral hygiene routine at home, areas to focus on, tools to take home such as flossers that work around braces or new soft-bristled toothbrushes appropriate for your age and mouth size, etc.

Give us a call at 713-461-1509 to schedule your next appointment!

Happy Dental Assistants Week!

/

We couldn’t do our jobs without our fabulous dental assistants!! We might be biased, but Smiles For Kids has the best!! They wear many hats around the office and keep everything running smoothly, help kiddos smile throughout their appointments from start to finish, keep the doctors running on time, and more. They do it all and we so appreciate you!! Thank you Rita, Ellie, Sula, Josie and Taylor!

Happy Dental Assistants Week!

More about our dental assistants: Visit our meet the team page!

Februrary is Children's Dental Health Month!

/

Cavities, also known as caries or tooth decay, are the most common chronic disease of childhood, yet cavities are preventable. Developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children to get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.

Check out these important facts & tips:

  1. Brush your child’s teeth twice a day for 2 minutes. Parents should help with brushing until they can clearly write their own name.

  2. Floss to clean in between the teeth.

  3. Fluoride helps to make enamel stronger and protects teeth against cavities by fighting acid & erosion.

  4. Avoid sticky snacks like gummies, candies, cookies and crackers because those will linger on the teeth longer. Instead, try yogurt, cheese, fruits and veggies!

  5. Water is the best drink for your teeth AND your body! Serve water at mealtime rather than juice or soda.

We’re celebrating all month long! Come visit us at Smiles For Kids!

Visit the ADA and CDC websites for more information and fun activities that you can do with your kids! Visit the ADA.org / Visit the CDC.org

Stop thumb or finger sucking with the T-Guard!

/

Many parents struggle with helping their child break thumb or finger habits for years. That’s because they cannot be removed like pacifiers can! Some children wean themselves at an early age, but most will continue the habit well into the school age. We tell all our families that little can be done until the child is of an age that he or she understands the importance of quitting this habit. Children under three years of age rarely can be convinced to stop sucking the thumb. Stopping the habit before permanent teeth start erupting is important because sucking on fingers can cause changes in shape of the teeth and jaws called “malocclusion”. It also introduces germs in the mouth, and can affect their social development when a child seen sucking their fingers by their peers.

We advise our families to first start with positively talking to their children about stopping or giving rewards for stopping. Physical barriers can also be used as reminders during idle or tired times. Those range from gloves, plastic thumb/finger guards, or an appliance made by the dentist.

Today’s blog is specifically about the TGuard (as seen in the pictures). It’s a plastic, soft, flexible, and comfortable medical device that can be worn by the child as a physical barrier and reminder not to suck their finger or thumb! It’s 100% BPA-free and contains no harmful phthalates. It’s easy to put on and take off, and the straps come in various fun colors. For more information about the T guard, visit their website: www.tguard.com.

All habits are hard to break! We realize that it takes work and dedication to get rid of a habit, and we believe in a team approach. Any unwanted changes to the jaws and teeth will eventually be corrected either be itself or by orthodontic appliances (which can be costly). We try to provide parents and children encouragement and resources they need on this journey. If you have questions about your child’s finger sucking habit, give us a call at 713-461-1509 or come see us at Smiles For Kids!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

/

We hope that everyone is enjoying holidays with their families during this magical time of year.

As always, we are so thankful to have you in our dental family. Thank you for a memorable year and trusting us for all your kids' dental needs. We all truly blessed to continue watching your littles grow.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to all of our Smiles For Kids families!